Acupuncture

Acupuncture
is an ancient form of Chinese medicine. By inserting fine needles at specific
points on the body, it is used to treat various disorders or imbalance
of the body and mind. Acupuncture can facilitate release of internal substances
(e.g.,endorphin and enkephalin, the body's natural products for pain relief
and general well being ), stimulate vital energy (Qi), mobilize immune
system, and increase resistance against diseases. Acupuncture is thus
a renowned model of natural healing that activates the body's own protective
mechanism and employs the body's tendency for new balance and recovery.
Its advantages include simple procedure, lack of side effects, broad application,
and good therapeutic effects.

Most patients feel no pain with needle
insertion. But feeling of local distension, heaviness, numbing, tingling,
or electric sensation traveling along effected pathways ( Meridians )
may be experienced, especially when weak electric current is fed onto
the inserted needles or the needles are gently maneuvered. The combination
of acu-points, time of needle stay, depth and angle of needling, and therapeutic
manipulations ( e.g., tonifying for deficiency or dispersing for excess
) vary from case to case. Depending on the nature, severity, and duration
of individual illness, 3 to 10 treatments are usually needed. Significant
improvement is commonly noticed from 1 to 5 treatments. Sterilized disposable
needles are used.

Medical conditions that respond well
to acu-puncture (alone or combined with Chinese herbs) include but not
limited to the following groups: